Word Origin & History

1798, from German Ästhetisch or French esthétique, both from Greek aisthetikos "sensitive, perceptive," from aisthanesthai "to perceive (by the senses or by the mind), to feel," from PIE *awis-dh-yo-, from root *au- "to perceive" (see audience).

Popularized in English by translation of Immanuel Kant, and used originally in the classically correct sense "the science which treats of the conditions of sensuous perception." Kant had tried to correct the term after Alexander Baumgarten had taken it in German to mean "criticism of taste" (1750s), but Baumgarten's sense attained popularity in English c.1830s (despite scholarly resistance) and removed the word from any philosophical base. Walter Pater used it (1868) to describe the late 19c. movement that advocated "art for art's sake," which further blurred the sense. As an adjective by 1803. Related: Aesthetically.

Example Sentences for esthetics

Drafts for the dedication, the preface, and for a work on Esthetics.

There is a lecture on the esthetics of modern art at Philamo Hall.

What has the author to say of education, religion and esthetics?

Associated words: esthetics, æsthetic, æstheticism, æsthete.

These flowers were the only concession to esthetics that Mr. Flint indulged.

The Neapolitan was one of those most preoccupied with esthetics.

On passing through the spectacular aspects of lighting we finally emerge into the esthetics of light and lighting.

It is attractive in style and indicates an abundant familiarity with the subject, both as a naturalist and a student of esthetics.

It is not by reading manuals of esthetics, but by leaning on nature herself that the artist discovers and expresses beauty.

The ignorant and the professors of esthetics who do not know the source of all this have named it Greek idealism.